Lit

by J.C. Cole

Lit follows the journey of a lighter as it weaves its way in and out of the lives of the ordinary and extraordinary, becoming the silent witness to a tapestry of human lives as it passes from one person to the next. The lighter ignites more than just a flame, it sparks love, courage, rebellion, and redemption. Each new owner leaves a mark on its worn surface and adds a new chapter to its journey, until the object itself becomes a vessel of memory, fate, and the enduring power of human connection. Each new owner brings their own chaos shaped by heartbreak, ambition, and reinvention. As the lighter sparks cigarettes, fireplaces, and quiet moments of truth, it becomes an unspoken thread linking lives in unexpected ways. In a world of fleeting connections, this small, tangible object burns with the weight of real human stories, brief, messy, and unforgettable.

214 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2026

About the author

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, J. C. Cole spent most of his young adult life dearly holding on to the art and music scenes of Seattle, Washington. After finishing his degrees, he worked as a school teacher, focusing on helping kids and families find their path in life. He met his beautiful wife and mother to their future two sons in the most unlikely of circumstances. They quickly married, and with nothing but two suitcases and the clothes on his back, he flew to Amsterdam to be with her. It was there where he took on the project to write his first book "Beginnings," a short-story anthology, followed by an interactive children's book and an award winning memoir. He has now returned back with his family to the PNW were he released his new novel titled, "Leaving Seattle." He has recently released a young adult Science Fiction novel titled "Ordell's Constellation." Cole's writing has been both awarded and published in several literary magazines to include, Writer's Workshop, Vine Leaves Press, La Piccoletta Barca, Metaworker, the 50 Years of Hip-Hop Anthology, and Instant Noodles.